England start Euro 2020 with win over Croatia.
England. 1. Croatia 0
Sterling 57’
England have won their opening game at a European Championship for the first time in Group D opener.
Rahim Sterling’s goal in the 57th minute secured victory over Croatia at Wembley. The Three Lions almost took an early lead when Phil Foden struck a post but there were the first signs of frustration from fans and players just as Sterling made the decisive contributions with his first goal in a major tournament.
English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was barely tested by a disappointing Croatia, who never looked like repeating their victory over England in the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow. England takes on Scotland at Wembley on Friday with three points.
25-year-old Phillips was creative, calm and England’s most assured players both in the periods when they dominated and also when they lost impetus and suffered spells of frustration. He tested Croatia’s keeper Dominik Livakovic early on but his most important contribution came with a run and pass that provided Sterling with the perfect opportunity to break Croatia’s resistance.
Sterling answered his critics in the opening game after a period of indifferent form when even Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola felt able to do without him as City won a third Premier League title in four years.
Sterling had Croatia’s defenders on the back foot and it was fully merited when he stole into space in the penalty area to convert perfect pass from Phillips. He could have added a second late on the back foot but is finish was wayward.
Croatia arrived in Wembley with confidence bolstered by their record of important wins over England in the past. They survived a rocky opening period to restore of order for the last 20 minutes of the first half, but even their great midfield manipulator Luka Modric, and their performance was more about possession and tempo than threat.
England won their opening game of European Championship finals at the 10th attempt. Croatia have lost eight of their 14 games in all competitions since the start of 2020, and lost just eight of their previous 33 matches. England have won seven consecutive matches across all competitions for the first time since March 2015 under Roy Hodgson.
Rahim Sterling has been directly involved in 19 goals in his last 17 appearances for England 13 goals, six assists.